August 27, 2012

The Body Shop All-In-One BB Cream Review & Swatches

The Body Shop All-In-One BB Cream has finally launched here in the US. Yay! Originally introduced a few short months ago in the UK, I had suspected and mused that this indeed would see an early Fall 2012 release and that in fact is the case as it is now available both in store and online.

Available in three color changing tones this BB Cream promises to be your perfect match.

Is it?

Take a look!

Much like the new L’Oreal Magic Skin Beautifier BB Cream this starts out as a white liquid and transforms to your perfect shade as you apply. The cream has tiny pigment capsules suspended in it which burst as you apply.

The texture on this lacks the creaminess of an Asian BB Cream. It’s a bit on the looser, runny side with a light fragrance. It pretty much lacks all the features an Asian BB Cream has including SPF.

The lack of SPF as well as a hydrating factor, anti-aging ingredients, etc…definitely take away from what a good BB Cream should be providing. Add to the fact that The Body Shop charges $20 for 0.84 oz and you might consider just going with L’Oreal’s version which is a very similiar formula and cost $8 to $10.

The color adapting technology does work to some extent. I tried it on my face and the back of my hand in both cases it was a a fairly good match. Since the shade of my hand is darker than my face I could easily see the differences in how the color adapted. The color didn’t go orange either which was a good thing. Color didn’t oxidize either but the sheerer nature of the product didn’t exactly combat my duller skin issues so I wasn’t left with brighter, fresher looking skin after use but more of a no make up look that wasn’t terribly flattering.

Coverage is lightweight and barely there with a very, very subtle color pay off. This is very sheer so it does even out skin tone to some extent but offers zero coverage and acts as more of a tinted moisture than a BB Cream. Add to the fact it isn’t terribly moisturizing but does have a softer, hydrating finish, and you might not want to even call it tinted moisturizer.

Overall, The Body Shop All-In-One BB Cream is another tinted skin cream of sorts that we’ve been seeing more and more of here in the US. For some odd reason or another the Asian BB Cream hasn’t translated correctly here in the US and we are seeing more tinted moisturizer formulas than BB ones. Sadly, this isn’t really worthy of twenty dollars in my opinion considering the variety of similiar products we are seeing in drugstores of this type of product. You can head to any drugstore and haul a variety of different “BB Creams” with far nicer formulas for considerably less. They’d have some of my vote for decent product if they slashed the price tag a bit but never my approval for good BB Cream as this isn’t a BB Cream at all.

It’s ok as a tinted moisturizer of sorts but the price just doesn’t justify the splurge.

Spend your twenty dollars on something else.

Tried it?

Do share!

Available now at The Body Shop boutiques or online at www.thebodyshop-usa.com

I purchased this item.

About the Muse

Isabella MuseIsabella is just an average everyday geeky girl who doesn’t blend her eyeshadow correctly, wears too much blush, and hopes she never finds her holy grail products because she likes the thrill of the chase so much. Her mission is to bring you super honest reviews on makeup, skincare, fragrance and all things beauty. She’s in no way an expert on the topic and she sure as hell isn’t a super model. But she’s passionate about makeup and is seeking like-minded individuals that like pina coladas, getting caught in the rain, and ones that enjoy spending hundreds of dollars at Sephora without feeling buyer’s remorse. If you’re that person feel free to reach out and leave a comment or follow me on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Bloglovin‘.

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Comments

  • OrangeLipstickBlog

    Ugh, you lost me at “It pretty much lacks all the features an Asian BB Cream has including SPF.” Lol! I’ll stick with the Asian stuff!!!

  • Irene

    Love Asian BB Creams, I’m so annoyeed with the westeren BB creams they are ruining the image for the proper BB creams, It makes me laugh that they din’t do their research properly

  • Cassie

    I really do wonder how non-Asian “BB cream” manufacturers get off thinking that their products are able to be called BB creams. Why don’t they just call them tinted moisturizers? Is it just a way to create hype and sell more product? It really bothers me, either way =__=;

    • the Muse

      I think they want to start a new trend, get people hyped about BB Creams, particularly those who never tried an Asian one before or even heard of a BB Cream. It’s a fail for folks that are used to Asian BB Creams but I imagine it proves interesting if you never heard of one before or used one. :-/

      • breyerchic04

        I’ve never tried a bb cream, real asian, or fake and americanized but reading all of these reviews is making me more jaded and pretty sure I’m not going to try one soon. If an asian one would fall in my lap I’d try it, but I’m not going to try too hard to find one.

  • Kiss & Make-up

    All BB creams I’ve tried give zero coverage, so I didn’t expect this one to do much better. I’m still waiting for the one that will blow me away.

  • sai

    This stuff is also sold in HK, seems there is only 1 color available here. It is very very sheer, that I think it is even more sheer than a tinted moisturiser. I think it is more appropriate to call it a primer maybe? (I didn’t try it on my face, not sure if this stuff will work as a primer)

    • the Muse

      sai, that could be one thing to call it…def considerably less pigmented than a TM!!!!!!! I concur!

  • My Chau

    You might want to try the BB cream from Marcelle (Canadian brand). You can order it from their website (ships to Canadian and US addresses)! 🙂

  • Denise

    I was so hyped in purchasing this, given that members in my country will be given a discount. But after reading your review on how poor it is, made me sad. Guess should spend my money elsewhere. thanks for the heads up!

  • Jennie

    Hmm, I’ll stick to my L’oreal one which I actually use as a primer. It actually makes my pores look smaller. I do love my Lioele Beyond the Solution BB Cream the most though. The coverage is great. Also, as “My Chau” commented, I’ve seen videos on the Marcelle BB Cream and it has really nice coverage (unlike the US BB creams).

  • Ashley

    This is definitely no BB cream but it’s not a bad tinted moisturizer. Actually, it may just be shade 01 but 02 offers decent coverage (above sheer but not quite medium yet). The only thing I really dislike is the scent.. reminds me of Maybelline’s mascara int he yellow packaging. Blegh!

    • the Muse

      hey ashley, I was hesitant to call it tm because it wasn’t terribly moisturizing, but def evens out skin tone decently well!

  • Elle

    I have tried some of Asian BB cream, and I own one of Kanebo that is too heavy for me.
    Some of my Asian girl friends had tried to use several BB creams that were too much for them too.
    Overall, most friends had some skin problems course them had dry skin, skin took off and turned red. They went to see Dr. And told me nerver use any kind of BB cream anymore.
    For me, I just bought this BB cream from the body shop before I purched that I did akin teste on my hand and my hand did turned red or I felt itch.

  • Devina

    I bought this product at a GREAT price thanks to coupons (roughly $34 for three tubes). When applied in the store I thought the coverage was exactly what I’m looking for. I loved how lightweight it was, and didn’t mind the fact that it doesn’t have an SPF or any anti-aging features particularly because I have tons of my Smashbox Photo Finish Foundation Primer SPF 15 with Dermaxyl Complex left from my last makeup haul. So far I’m loving this product, however I definitely want to try some other Asian BB creams so long as they have a lightweight coverage.

  • Michelle

    I just hated this one first ever thing I hated from the body shop! 🙁 WASTE OF 20$!

  • Brillie

    After reading this blog post, I think I must think twice to buy BB Cream from The Body Shop 🙁

    What about BB cream from etude? have you try to use it?

  • Shuiling

    The Body Shop White Shiso BB Cream/Serum is far away better than this All-in-One BB Cream. It’s more like Asian BB Cream. However, it’s only available in Asia (and Australia I think).
    It’s a pity that The Body Shop sells their best BB cream only for Asia’s market, not for worldwide.. =.=a